If you chat with some businesspeople, they believe they have challenges that no one else has. That’s because they haven’t experienced the new challenges before nor have they heard about the problems elsewhere in their industry.

But that doesn’t mean the problems are terminally unique to the person’s industry or business.

If it’s any consolation, no matter what the problem, it’s nothing new. Not to oversimplify, but somebody, somewhere has experienced the same dilemmas.

That’s why there are business processes and problem-solving approaches. So part of the solution is to compartmentalize the problems.

Compartmentalizing is a simple process for a businessperson with multiple headaches. A compartment for a problem might be in personnel issues, poor sales or product complaints.

So break complex problems down into manageable situations or compartments. In order of priority, tackle issues — first things first.

It’s best to start in the first hour of a business day. On the left side of a page, write the problem. On the right side, write the aspects of the problem – including the contributing factors – starting with the major points down to the minor.

What problems do you have?

Compartmentalizing helps in these typical challenges:

Culture issues

In unhealthy companies, it’s possible to read the room – see the problems – usually without even seeing the books to understand the problems and anticipate the appropriate solutions. If a company is lacking in teamwork, morale is poor and profits are weak, chances are a culture change is needed.

Other internal challenges affecting the control of costs involve personnel and operations. The problems can be widespread – from a lack of employee empowermentto a lack ofemployee respectfor leadership.

It might be a manufacturer isn’t up-to-date on developing trends and solutionsfor manufacturing success. Many businesses love cutting waste and costs for profits by using lean manufacturing principles, but many global manufacturers aren’t getting lean results, according to a studyof why manufacturing principles often don’t work.

Innovation

Some businesses fail to change or recognize when offerings reach their end of product life cycle. The solution is to become an innovator.

If problems aren’t solved, a company will face bankruptcy for not implementing a turnaround. For a successful turnaround, new management strategiesare vital. Often,13 stepswill suffice for overcoming obstacles.

Profits: How and Why to Align Marketing with Sales — If marketing isn’t synchronized with sales, a company doesn’t enjoy optimized profits. So why is it so many companies don’t align their marketing with sales? Here is how and why to align marketing with sales for higher profits.

Profits: How to Save on Sales Opportunity Costs— If your sales efforts aren’t leading to your desired clients, here are a couple of questions: How many times have you been burdened by so-called prospective customers who waste your time without buying? How many times has a business or government agency asked for information on projects but used your ideas without paying you?

“You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.”

-Edwin Louis Cole

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.